The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and former Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Wednesday, showered encomiums on Archbishop emeritus, Most Rev (Dr) Patrick Ekpu, describing him as one of those who laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Obaseki who spoke at a service to mark the 50th Episcopal anniversary and 90th birthday of Ekpu at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City ,described the Archbishop emeritus as one who served in various local communities as a young priest who understands the customs of the people and bringing them to God.

He said, “We will continue to tap from his wisdom to guide us as we pass through difficult times. He was a great patriot, a pious priest, visionary bishop, a rare archbishop, a living legend, a modest teacher, an audacious founder.”

Delivering a homily, Onaiyekan said the era Archbishop emeritus laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria coincided with the Nigerianisation policy of the country in the early seventies.

He added that it was a time the Catholic was also undergoing reformation which gave room for Nigerians to take over the leadership of the church.

He named Archbishops Joseph Ukpo, late Ephraim Obot late Alexius Makuoze among others who laid foundation for modern Catholic Church in Nigeria.

He said: “The year 1971 was a tremendous year for the church in Nigeria when seven young Nigerian priests were appointed bishops.

“Our young bishop took the helms of leadership of their dioceses at a delicate period in the history of the church.

“It was just a few years after the end of the second Vatican council, a period of uncertainty and instability, as the church groped her way to implement the truly revolutionary changes that the council had decreed very significant. Among such changes was the need to adapt the church to the realities of our times and the realities of our native laws and customs in every aspect of church life.

“It was also the era of local music and instrument. It was the era of review of the administrative structure.

“The bishop had to ensure that all these were done without departing from the essence of our catholic faith and tradition.

“We can now safely say that our young bishops proved themselves better qualified to do this than any foreign born.

“The young bishops were plunged into a challenging socio-political period. Many wise men in the world’s way but of little faith did not expect them to successfully cope with the demand of their high office, but God’s ways are not our ways.

“Looking back now, 50 years down the line, we can see that the Holy Spirit did not make a mistake.

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“They have led the churche entrusted to their care successfully until their meritorious retirement at the full age of 75. Not every former office holder deserves the title emeritus.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Archbishop of Benin Diocese and president, Conference of Catholic Bishops, His Grace, Dr Augustine Akubeze said Ekpu invested in human development and the growth of the people of God.